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INBOUND 2015 shows its softer side

Monday, September 21, 2015

I think it’s important to emphasize that I’m not a digital marketer! Fashion and style are my thing with a side of social work (crazy combo I know, but it works!). So when Sharp Heels asked me to cover INBOUND 2015, a marketing conference in Boston, I hesitated. Actually, I panicked.

I was eons above my comfort
zone for a number of reasons. 1.I know
very little about the online world (although I try hard and sometimes pretend)
2. There would be 14,000 people at this event and I would know all of zero.3.I
would feel like a fish out of water. It would be like entering a foreign
country and not speaking the language. 4. I would have to carve a few days out of my crazy schedule.All valid reasons, right?

But when my 25 year-old high tech son (who owns a video game company!) said, “Mom, INBOUND is an amazing event. You HAVE to go to it!” I
listened. After all, we need to stretch
the limits sometimes or life can get boring. OK, the real reason is that 25
year-olds know everything and they’re usually right.

I spent two full days at
INBOUND and I have to admit, it was hard to leave. This conference is like nothing
I’ve ever experienced. I was expecting a hard-core marketing event (heavy on
pushy sales pitches), but instead I got something bordering on warm and
fuzzy.Let me explain.

Inbound marketing is not about the macho “in your face”
sales approach, but more about connecting, caring and sharing. Inbound is about making a difference in the
world and understanding those around us. The conference promoted this
philosophy.

In some offbeat way, I felt
like Inbound 2015 almost had “feminine side” if this makes any sense. How can compassion equate with marketing?

“Sharing is caring
and inbound is about creating and sharing content with the world. By creating
content specifically designed to appeal to your dream customers, inbound
attracts qualified prospects to your business and keeps them coming back for
more.”

INBOUND 2015 encapsulated this holistic approach to
marketing. The theme was about
connecting-- but not just on a superficial level.It was deeper. It was about getting in touch
with your inner self and with others, and understanding how we tick and
interact. It was about going after what’s important, following passions and
being our authentic self.It was about women’s rights,
ending sexual violence and beating the odds when illness strikes. INBOUND knows no bounds. It touched on everything that
matters to me both as a woman and a human being. It was truly a wonderful thing to see” abusiness with a
heart and soul”.

From a “newbie’s” prospective,
here’s what I loved about INBOUND 2015.

The excitement!
The conference itself was larger than life. It was like a mix between Disney
World and Las Vegas. From a high-tech
vendor area complete with games, giveaways, crazy light displays, energizing
music and interactive exhibits to a speaker line-up that would knock your socks
off, there was constant excitement in the air.
Where else could you hear talks from so many amazing and diverse
“celebs” such as Seth Godin, Amy Schumer, Brené Brown,, Daniel Pink Chelsea
Clinton, Brian Halligan, Dharmesh Shah, Sohpia Amoruso, Jonah Peretti, Marc Maron
and Jon Ronson? Yep, they were all featured in one week.

Stepping into “Club Inbound” was invigorating.

Check out the enormous #INBOUND sign which became

the
local hotspot for photos.

I couldn't resist!

The keynote speakers:

The keynote speakers were
nothing short of incredible. My two favorites were Chelsea Clinton and Brené Brown…both brilliant and inspiring women.

Brené talked about the
importance of vulnerability and giving ourselves permission to fail in order to be happier and create stronger relationships with others. “Our
greatest measure of courage is putting ourselves out there in the world. Playing it safe is not really living.”

That's her by the U in INBOUND

Chelsea Clinton covered a
number of issues relating to women and advocated change and awareness to such issues as the refuge situation and sexual violence. " Becoming a mother to
her daughter Charlotte made Clinton an even stronger advocate for social
change. “It’s important to create a space for kids to voice what they care
about”, said Clinton

The presenters:

I attended several talks and
was surprised by the quality of the presenters. Not only were they
knowledgeable, but also energetic, motivating and captivating. I didn’t see one
audience member nod off-- and that’s a first!

I had a chance to meet Lisa Genova, author of Still Alice, a novel about a woman diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. The book was made into a movie which won Julianne Moore an Oscar. Lisa told the audience to ask themselves this question. " If I could do anything I wanted and didn’t
have to care about what people thought of me or worry about money, what would that be?" Her message was powerful...listen to your heart, take chances and "be comfortable being uncomfortable."

The social conscience

I applaud INBOUND for their
commitment to promoting social justice by supporting The Malala Fund (their
charity partner). The Malala Fund, led by Malala Yousafzi, focuses on a mission
to provide and advocate for education to girls worldwide.The documentary “He Named Me Malala” will be
released in October 2015.

The tips: Even for a layperson like me, I got hands-on
tips and advice for blogging, branding, social media-- even money management
was covered. I learned some new terms like “smarketing”, “meme” and “CTA or
call to action “. If you’re dying to know what these words mean, find the
definitions here.

The people: With 14,000 people congregated at The Boston
Convention Center, you might think that the atmosphere would be a bit cold and impersonal.
Quite the contrary, from the vendors to the speakers and attendees, people were
friendly and eager to make connections.

The fun:Inbound 2015 was just plain fun. I mean who
doesn’t love a party?

A big thank you to Sharp Heels, a website for professional women, for sending me to INBOUND 2015.

One last thing, you might be wondering what I wore to INBOUND. Comfortable clothes!

The 1st condition of success in business is, you have to connect with the customer and have to know whats they want. Inbound marketing can help you to directly communicate with the customer and know their needs, wants and demands.

About Susan

Boston area wardrobe stylist, midlife style blogger and social worker on the side. Determined to do away with frumpy! To find out about my personal styling service, visit my website at www.agreatnewlook.com